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Lords of St. Thomas
Winner of the 2017 Howard Frank Mosher First Book Prize
Shortlisted for the 2016 Plaza Literary Prize
In the Mojave Desert, at the southern end of the isolated Moapa Valley, sat the town of St. Thomas, Nevada. A small community that thrived despite scorching temperatures and scarce water, St. Thomas was home to hardy railroad workers, farmers, shopkeepers, teachers, and a lone auto mechanic named Henry Lord.
Born and raised in St. Thomas, Lord lived in a small home beside his garage with his son, Thomas, his daughter-in-law, Ellen, and his grandson, "Little" Henry. All lived happily until the stroke of a pen by President Coolidge authorizing the construction of the Boulder (Hoover) Dam. Within a decade, more than 250 square miles of desert floor would become flooded by the waters of the Colorado River, and St. Thomas would be no more.
In the early 1930s, the federal government began buying out the residents of St. Thomas, yet the hardheaded Henry Lord, believing the water would never reach his home, refused to sell. It was a mistake that would cost him―and his family―dearly.
Lords of St. Thomas details the tragedies and conflicts endured by a family fighting an unwinnable battle, and their hectic and terrifying escape from the flood waters that finally surge across the threshold of their front door. Surprisingly, it also shows that, sometimes, you can go home again, as Little Henry returns to St. Thomas 60 years later, after Lake Mead recedes, to retrieve a treasure he left behind―and to fulfill a promise he made as a child.
Shortlisted for the 2016 Plaza Literary Prize
In the Mojave Desert, at the southern end of the isolated Moapa Valley, sat the town of St. Thomas, Nevada. A small community that thrived despite scorching temperatures and scarce water, St. Thomas was home to hardy railroad workers, farmers, shopkeepers, teachers, and a lone auto mechanic named Henry Lord.
Born and raised in St. Thomas, Lord lived in a small home beside his garage with his son, Thomas, his daughter-in-law, Ellen, and his grandson, "Little" Henry. All lived happily until the stroke of a pen by President Coolidge authorizing the construction of the Boulder (Hoover) Dam. Within a decade, more than 250 square miles of desert floor would become flooded by the waters of the Colorado River, and St. Thomas would be no more.
In the early 1930s, the federal government began buying out the residents of St. Thomas, yet the hardheaded Henry Lord, believing the water would never reach his home, refused to sell. It was a mistake that would cost him―and his family―dearly.
Lords of St. Thomas details the tragedies and conflicts endured by a family fighting an unwinnable battle, and their hectic and terrifying escape from the flood waters that finally surge across the threshold of their front door. Surprisingly, it also shows that, sometimes, you can go home again, as Little Henry returns to St. Thomas 60 years later, after Lake Mead recedes, to retrieve a treasure he left behind―and to fulfill a promise he made as a child.
180 pages, Paperback
Published April 10, 2018
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168 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
July 28, 2018
This debut novel by Jackson Ellis was inspired by the real Lord family of St. Thomas, Nevada, but the story itself is fiction.
Lords of St Thomas explores the hardships a family has to go through when they are driven out of their homes by the building of the Boulder Dam. The story is told from little Henry's point of view who was a child when their town was flooded.
This book, even though a little short, is certainly quite thought provoking in a lot of ways: it tells a story about family relationships, trust, stubbornness, and also -as an other reviewer mentioned before me - environmental issues. On one hand, it is a heartwarming story, on the other hand it is heartbreaking, but overall beautiful.
I enjoyed reading this book and I am looking forward to reading other novels from Jackson Ellis.
Lords of St Thomas explores the hardships a family has to go through when they are driven out of their homes by the building of the Boulder Dam. The story is told from little Henry's point of view who was a child when their town was flooded.
This book, even though a little short, is certainly quite thought provoking in a lot of ways: it tells a story about family relationships, trust, stubbornness, and also -as an other reviewer mentioned before me - environmental issues. On one hand, it is a heartwarming story, on the other hand it is heartbreaking, but overall beautiful.
I enjoyed reading this book and I am looking forward to reading other novels from Jackson Ellis.
March 12, 2018
Henry Lord was born and raised in St. Thomas, Nevada. He has spent his entire young life in the small town, as have his parents and grandparents. Henry lives with his parents and his grandfather, after whom he was named. It's the 1930s and Hoover Dam is being built. The construction of the dam will cause the town to be submerged, so the residents are all moving away. Henry's father and grandfather disagree about what they should do. The father believes they should leave and find a home and work in a nearby town. However, the grandfather refuses to sell his home and business to the government, and doesn't believe the waters will reach the town.
The story is told is told from the viewpoint of the grandson, "Little" Henry. He is just a young boy when the town is being abandoned by the townsfolk, and doesn't fully understand what is happening. The family experiences a lot of tragedy, but young Henry handles everything with respect and dignity.
A historical fiction account of St. Thomas, Nevada. St. Thomas was a small town abandoned by the residents in the 1930s after the Hoover Dam was built and the waters of Lake Mead submerged it. The last remaining resident of the town was Hugh Lord, who was the inspiration for the character of Henry Lord.
A heartwarming story about family and home. Beautifully written. This short book manages to evoke a number of emotions, including happiness, sadness, anger, and hope.
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. This book is expected to be published in April 2018.
The story is told is told from the viewpoint of the grandson, "Little" Henry. He is just a young boy when the town is being abandoned by the townsfolk, and doesn't fully understand what is happening. The family experiences a lot of tragedy, but young Henry handles everything with respect and dignity.
A historical fiction account of St. Thomas, Nevada. St. Thomas was a small town abandoned by the residents in the 1930s after the Hoover Dam was built and the waters of Lake Mead submerged it. The last remaining resident of the town was Hugh Lord, who was the inspiration for the character of Henry Lord.
A heartwarming story about family and home. Beautifully written. This short book manages to evoke a number of emotions, including happiness, sadness, anger, and hope.
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. This book is expected to be published in April 2018.
April 29, 2018
I think this is an excellent young adult book. It would fit well in a classroom for students of all abilities. If I were still teaching Young Adult Lit, I would be looking into buying a set for my class.
It is the story of a family dealing with the creation of Lake Mead driving them off their land. It's an excellent story about family life, a boy becoming a man, environmental issues, and a changing world.
It is the story of a family dealing with the creation of Lake Mead driving them off their land. It's an excellent story about family life, a boy becoming a man, environmental issues, and a changing world.
November 26, 2018
What a cracking good story! The book starts off with "Little" Henry now an old man reading a news report about the waters of a lake receding to reveal a town that had been buried beneath. This sends him and the reader back on a journey into his childhood to a town called St. Thomas where it's population is being forced out of their homes to make way for a new lake. Henry's Grandad refuses to believe that the water would reach his house and doesn't moved out.
The incredible writing starts off slow and steady matching the water's pace as it gets closer to St. Thomas, gradually picking up speed as the water gets nearer. The closer the water gets the darker the story becomes, with the family getting hit with more and more tragedy. The relationship between Grandad and grandson has been written with such great care, you can't help but feel for them. You know how the story is going to play out yet it still hits you hard when things play out as expected.
Some interesting photos have been added at the end, photo's of the remains of buildings that inspired this story, makes you wonder just how much of this was true. If you fancy reading a well written story that has the slight possibility of being real then this is the one for you.
Blog Review is here> https://felcherman.wordpress.com/2018...
The incredible writing starts off slow and steady matching the water's pace as it gets closer to St. Thomas, gradually picking up speed as the water gets nearer. The closer the water gets the darker the story becomes, with the family getting hit with more and more tragedy. The relationship between Grandad and grandson has been written with such great care, you can't help but feel for them. You know how the story is going to play out yet it still hits you hard when things play out as expected.
Some interesting photos have been added at the end, photo's of the remains of buildings that inspired this story, makes you wonder just how much of this was true. If you fancy reading a well written story that has the slight possibility of being real then this is the one for you.
Blog Review is here> https://felcherman.wordpress.com/2018...
January 22, 2018
This first novel by Jackson Ellis, inspired by the real Hugh Lord in the lost town of St. Thomas, Nevada, imagines what it is like to lose your home and discover it again. Fictional Henry Lord grew up in St. Thomas, as did both parents, his grandparents and great grandparents, who settled there, following Joseph Smith. In 1936, during the building of the Hoover Dam, when the government tries to relocate the Lord family, Henry’s father and grandfather disagree how to respond. Grandpa won’t budge, but dad takes work in the city to save up for a new home in safer territory. Until then, Henry, his mom and grandpa stay in their family home while the town is all but deserted. Finally, they’re forced to leave. Will Henry ever return?
Jackson, a long time writer and editor from Vermont, masterfully couples a historic event with a classic coming of age story. In Henry’s own voice, Jackson begins with the hasty and tragic departure from home, then fast forwards Henry at age 76, recognizing the dried up remains of his old town in a newspaper picture. The rest of the short book connects these two dots in time through vivid scenes of father and son playing baseball and grandpa and grandson fishing, school ground fights, and a mother’s love, as well as the tamarisk and creosote studded desert of the Moapa Valley. History comes alive as characters relate differently to the verdict cast down from on high, that their valley would soon flood with re-routed river water. Meanwhile, Henry, a child, believes what he wants to be true, that he’d never have to leave (49). But he does leave, first by necessity and then by choice. In a poetic twist, an older Henry returns to St. Thomas in extreme dry conditions, where a storm and ensuing flood had sent him packing at age twelve. The story is heart warming, but not sentimental, and well told (it won the Howard Frank Mosher First Novel Prize in 2017), a glimpse into the past and a glimmer of hope for the future.
Jackson, a long time writer and editor from Vermont, masterfully couples a historic event with a classic coming of age story. In Henry’s own voice, Jackson begins with the hasty and tragic departure from home, then fast forwards Henry at age 76, recognizing the dried up remains of his old town in a newspaper picture. The rest of the short book connects these two dots in time through vivid scenes of father and son playing baseball and grandpa and grandson fishing, school ground fights, and a mother’s love, as well as the tamarisk and creosote studded desert of the Moapa Valley. History comes alive as characters relate differently to the verdict cast down from on high, that their valley would soon flood with re-routed river water. Meanwhile, Henry, a child, believes what he wants to be true, that he’d never have to leave (49). But he does leave, first by necessity and then by choice. In a poetic twist, an older Henry returns to St. Thomas in extreme dry conditions, where a storm and ensuing flood had sent him packing at age twelve. The story is heart warming, but not sentimental, and well told (it won the Howard Frank Mosher First Novel Prize in 2017), a glimpse into the past and a glimmer of hope for the future.
January 10, 2018
The Lords of St. Thomas holds an incredible story within its chapters. It evoked much emotion and thought as I read – happiness, understanding, anger, and sadness – all pulled from inside me onto the pages of the story as if I was the only witness to its tale. And while it may be just a novella, it’s so well written and such a solid story from beginning to end that you don’t feel as though you missed anything. There were no lingering questions when I was done reading the story, only the desire to be a part of it longer.
I feel like everyone should read this extraordinary, coming of age piece of literature. Undboutbly I will read Lords of St. Thomas more than once in my lifetime.
Bookie goal: have Lords of St. Thomas on my shelf, in hardcover.
I feel like everyone should read this extraordinary, coming of age piece of literature. Undboutbly I will read Lords of St. Thomas more than once in my lifetime.
Bookie goal: have Lords of St. Thomas on my shelf, in hardcover.
December 23, 2020
Interesting story. Well done!
Highly recommend checking this out, especially if you have visited Lake Mead and are interested in the history of the area!
Highly recommend checking this out, especially if you have visited Lake Mead and are interested in the history of the area!
October 19, 2018
The story starts with eleven-year-old Henry and his grandfather fleeing their house as it is being swallowed up by newly-created Lake Mead. Throughout the bulk of the book we learn about Henry's childhood, and witness firsthand the ways imminent domain affects people. Before there was Lake Mead, St. Thomas was an oasis in the Nevada desert. Due to a combination of stubbornness and tragedy, Henry's family refuses to accept the government's money when Hoover Dam is constructed. They stay in the doomed town until the literal last minute.
Henry does not have a typical childhood in many ways, which makes his story intensely interesting. In other ways, his life is the very essence of normal, which makes it easy to relate to him. In fact, all of the Lord family are very well-crafted characters. Each displays strong emotions or holds tight to particular beliefs which could easily wash them out into a fairly flat, uninteresting character. Instead, Ellis builds on this foundation to bring out the soul of each individual. Through frustration, tragedy, success, and everything else that makes up life, lifelike personalities are revealed
There are several layers to this story. There is the story of Henry growing up, the story of Lake Mead slowly and then suddenly destroying St. Thomas, the story of his parents' marriage, and the story of Henry as an the old man who lives through it all. Everything coalesces into something very touching and subtle, which I appreciate greatly. Yes, you can simply read the story and pass time. Or, you can digest what is going on and process what is not being said by what is being said. Themes of family, government, dealing with loss, and time are examined with interest and care.
I can't quite pinpoint why this work reminds me so strongly of Cormac McCarthy. Perhaps the desert landscape reminds me of The Road, or maybe it is the portrayal of the grandfather-grandson relationship. I'm not really sure, and granted I have only read two of McCarthy's works (The Road and All the Pretty Horses). I simply cannot shake the haunting similarity.
Again, this isn't exactly a "fun" book, although it is far less depressing than some I've added that disclaimer to. It is an exploration of so many things: put together, it is an examination of life. It makes you think about what really matters through wrestling with questions such as: what role should things like property take in comparison to family, and how do you handle breaking a promise that is impossible to keep?
Finally, the readability of Lords of St. Thomas is fitting. If I had the time, I easily could have read it all in one sitting. Despite dealing with so many topics which could be considered heavy, the tone is nonchalant. Surprisingly, there were a few words I did not know, which simultaneously impresses and annoys me.
Original, extended review posted on Reviews From the Stacks.
Henry does not have a typical childhood in many ways, which makes his story intensely interesting. In other ways, his life is the very essence of normal, which makes it easy to relate to him. In fact, all of the Lord family are very well-crafted characters. Each displays strong emotions or holds tight to particular beliefs which could easily wash them out into a fairly flat, uninteresting character. Instead, Ellis builds on this foundation to bring out the soul of each individual. Through frustration, tragedy, success, and everything else that makes up life, lifelike personalities are revealed
There are several layers to this story. There is the story of Henry growing up, the story of Lake Mead slowly and then suddenly destroying St. Thomas, the story of his parents' marriage, and the story of Henry as an the old man who lives through it all. Everything coalesces into something very touching and subtle, which I appreciate greatly. Yes, you can simply read the story and pass time. Or, you can digest what is going on and process what is not being said by what is being said. Themes of family, government, dealing with loss, and time are examined with interest and care.
I can't quite pinpoint why this work reminds me so strongly of Cormac McCarthy. Perhaps the desert landscape reminds me of The Road, or maybe it is the portrayal of the grandfather-grandson relationship. I'm not really sure, and granted I have only read two of McCarthy's works (The Road and All the Pretty Horses). I simply cannot shake the haunting similarity.
Again, this isn't exactly a "fun" book, although it is far less depressing than some I've added that disclaimer to. It is an exploration of so many things: put together, it is an examination of life. It makes you think about what really matters through wrestling with questions such as: what role should things like property take in comparison to family, and how do you handle breaking a promise that is impossible to keep?
Finally, the readability of Lords of St. Thomas is fitting. If I had the time, I easily could have read it all in one sitting. Despite dealing with so many topics which could be considered heavy, the tone is nonchalant. Surprisingly, there were a few words I did not know, which simultaneously impresses and annoys me.
Original, extended review posted on Reviews From the Stacks.
May 29, 2018
Debut fiction from a writer to watch. Ellis has a way of interweaving actual history with coming-of-age and the loss of a way of life. Extraordinary book that keeps you going to find out what was lost in St. Thomas and what can be found in memory and storytelling.
January 25, 2018
I was lucky enough to read this book right before it got published. I loved the characters, the setting, the focus on family relations in the face of environmental issues and how different people care for and care about place and home in different ways. This is a beautiful book written by a great writer, who fictionalized a historic event. I loved reading this book about the flooding of our Desert Southwest landscapes.
April 30, 2018
This historical fiction is a true delight. The characters could very well have existed, and the trials they go through are page turners!! You won’t want to put this book down!
October 28, 2018
Excellent debut novel from a man who has the talent to go places no one has gone since John Fante died.
June 20, 2018
An excellent first novel from Jackson Ellis. This has echoes of John Steinbeck and John Fante in it's simple, unadorned prose and emotional weight. Highly recommended.
December 19, 2020
Couldn't put this book down. Read it on an overnight driving trip in just a few hours. Happened to be driving through Nevada when someone mentioned the ghost town of St. Thomas. I searched in books and saw this interesting looking take on what happened there--it's gripping and heartwarming at the same time. From the young boy's perspective, now as a grown man, it brings you back to a time when family, pride, and traditions ruled.
May 15, 2021
What a sweet/sad ‘coming of age’ story set in Nevada from the 1930s and on, as told by an elderly man recalling his life. I like how it was based on a true event in which a small town was ‘lost’ under water when the Hoover Dam was built which in turn created Lake Mead. Unforgettable characters!
May 2, 2018
It's the beginning of the 1930s and St. Thomas is a thriving small town. This changes when the government starts planning to build the Boulder Dam and buys out everyone who's interested in selling. Many of the inhabitants are leaving their homes and businesses behind. The Lord family is an exception though. Henry's grandfather doesn't want to take the government's money and thinks the water won't flood his house. He doesn't believe it will ever reach that far. He wants to stay where he is, because it's the home he's always known and is refusing to leave, accepting the consequences of his decision.
Henry's father would like to get out of St. Thomas, he does believe the water will eventually reach their house and there aren't many opportunities for young people in a town that's slowly becoming abandoned. Henry is growing up under the constant influence and threat of the water, what is the effect on his life? Who is right, his father or his grandfather, and what is the price the family will have to pay because of this new dam?
Lords of St. Thomas is a beautiful impressive story. Henry is used to living with family disagreements. The dam is a frequent topic of discussion in their home. Henry's grandfather doesn't want to move out of St. Thomas. Even though almost everyone moves away, he's determined to stay and won't leave his house. I found his stubbornness admirable and naive at the same time, which is a fabulous combination. Henry is a sweet boy, he loves his parents very much and would do anything for them. He's also wise and observant, which makes the story incredibly interesting. While the water is rising it takes away a lot and my heart ached for the small boy who has to deal with so much heartbreak. I couldn't turn the pages quickly enough to find out what would happen to Henry and his family and read his story in one sitting.
Jackson Ellis has a fantastic descriptive writing style. He makes his story come to life in an amazing vivid way. I was fascinated by the history of the dam, the vast implications of this project and the effect on everyone living near it. I could easily picture the emotional turmoil of the Lord family and I was captivated by the gripping storyline. I liked the multiple layers, the versatility and the inevitability of this book. Lords of St. Thomas is a gorgeous story. I fell in love with it straight from the beginning and highly recommend it.
Henry's father would like to get out of St. Thomas, he does believe the water will eventually reach their house and there aren't many opportunities for young people in a town that's slowly becoming abandoned. Henry is growing up under the constant influence and threat of the water, what is the effect on his life? Who is right, his father or his grandfather, and what is the price the family will have to pay because of this new dam?
Lords of St. Thomas is a beautiful impressive story. Henry is used to living with family disagreements. The dam is a frequent topic of discussion in their home. Henry's grandfather doesn't want to move out of St. Thomas. Even though almost everyone moves away, he's determined to stay and won't leave his house. I found his stubbornness admirable and naive at the same time, which is a fabulous combination. Henry is a sweet boy, he loves his parents very much and would do anything for them. He's also wise and observant, which makes the story incredibly interesting. While the water is rising it takes away a lot and my heart ached for the small boy who has to deal with so much heartbreak. I couldn't turn the pages quickly enough to find out what would happen to Henry and his family and read his story in one sitting.
Jackson Ellis has a fantastic descriptive writing style. He makes his story come to life in an amazing vivid way. I was fascinated by the history of the dam, the vast implications of this project and the effect on everyone living near it. I could easily picture the emotional turmoil of the Lord family and I was captivated by the gripping storyline. I liked the multiple layers, the versatility and the inevitability of this book. Lords of St. Thomas is a gorgeous story. I fell in love with it straight from the beginning and highly recommend it.
November 22, 2018
BLURB
Born and raised in St. Thomas, Lord lived in a small home beside his garage with his son, Thomas, his daughter-in-law, Ellen, and his grandson, "Little" Henry. All lived happily until the stroke of a pen by President Coolidge authorizing the construction of the Boulder (Hoover) Dam. Within a decade, more than 250 square miles of desert floor would become flooded by the waters of the Colorado River, and St. Thomas would be no more.
In the early 1930s, the federal government began buying out the residents of St. Thomas, yet the hardheaded Henry Lord, believing the water would never reach his home, refused to sell. It was a mistake that would cost him―and his family―dearly.
Lords of St. Thomas details the tragedies and conflicts endured by a family fighting an unwinnable battle, and their hectic and terrifying escape from the flood waters that finally surge across the threshold of their front door. Surprisingly, it also shows that, sometimes, you can go home again, as Little Henry returns to St. Thomas 60 years later, after Lake Mead recedes, to retrieve a treasure he left behind―and to fulfill a promise he made as a child.
REVIEW
Intrigued as I was by the premise of this tale, a look at an obscure part of the country, an obscure bit of our history, I was not prepared for the drama and emotion that like the making of Lake Mead, flood the pages. It is a coming of age story in a town that is destined to disappear due to the building of The Hoover Dam. Though it is the mid-1930's, I could still resonate with young Henry, especially the honing of baseball skills by throwing a ball against a wall. The author has crafted a tale that while unique in its setting, is not so unique as to the human condition - tense family situations, the fear of the unknown future, the struggle to live up to expectations - all of that and more make this an enjoyable read. I have driven the southern shore of Lake Mead, and the stark barren, desert landscape is vividly described by the author, as is the out of place look the lake has in this drought ridden, sun baked land. As the blurb states, Henry returns 60 years later as the lake has receded and uncovered parts of St. Thomas. Without spoiling it for future readers, I can say that the author has provided the reader with an exciting, dramatic conclusion to this wonderful tale. 5 stars
Born and raised in St. Thomas, Lord lived in a small home beside his garage with his son, Thomas, his daughter-in-law, Ellen, and his grandson, "Little" Henry. All lived happily until the stroke of a pen by President Coolidge authorizing the construction of the Boulder (Hoover) Dam. Within a decade, more than 250 square miles of desert floor would become flooded by the waters of the Colorado River, and St. Thomas would be no more.
In the early 1930s, the federal government began buying out the residents of St. Thomas, yet the hardheaded Henry Lord, believing the water would never reach his home, refused to sell. It was a mistake that would cost him―and his family―dearly.
Lords of St. Thomas details the tragedies and conflicts endured by a family fighting an unwinnable battle, and their hectic and terrifying escape from the flood waters that finally surge across the threshold of their front door. Surprisingly, it also shows that, sometimes, you can go home again, as Little Henry returns to St. Thomas 60 years later, after Lake Mead recedes, to retrieve a treasure he left behind―and to fulfill a promise he made as a child.
REVIEW
Intrigued as I was by the premise of this tale, a look at an obscure part of the country, an obscure bit of our history, I was not prepared for the drama and emotion that like the making of Lake Mead, flood the pages. It is a coming of age story in a town that is destined to disappear due to the building of The Hoover Dam. Though it is the mid-1930's, I could still resonate with young Henry, especially the honing of baseball skills by throwing a ball against a wall. The author has crafted a tale that while unique in its setting, is not so unique as to the human condition - tense family situations, the fear of the unknown future, the struggle to live up to expectations - all of that and more make this an enjoyable read. I have driven the southern shore of Lake Mead, and the stark barren, desert landscape is vividly described by the author, as is the out of place look the lake has in this drought ridden, sun baked land. As the blurb states, Henry returns 60 years later as the lake has receded and uncovered parts of St. Thomas. Without spoiling it for future readers, I can say that the author has provided the reader with an exciting, dramatic conclusion to this wonderful tale. 5 stars
July 2, 2018
This book packs a lot in with few words. It won the Green Writer's Press Howard Mosher First Book award. Ellison's novel deserved the award. We recently had the author at our library to give a talk about the book, his research to write the book and how it got published. He was a very engaging speaker and very funny. The book, however, is not funny; rather it is the story of a family, led by a stubborn patriarch who won't accept a buy-out from the Federal government for his land which will eventually be flooded by the waters of Lake Mead. The grandfather though is not a caricature. He is a loving man toward his grandson with whom he has a deep relationship. All of the characters are well-drawn and the writing captures the ethos of the place, time and situation. There is a bit of a mystery in the book, too. It is written from the eyes of the main character as a boy, so it is also a coming-of-age story. Though Mosher wrote about Vermont, there are some elements that both writers use: how place effects the people, how relationships suffer from choices and how love binds people together. An excellent read!
April 27, 2020
Such a great book! I stayed up late to finish the end tonight. An amazing story of family, hardships, and growth. Starts from boyhood and ends at the age of almost 80. This would be an amazingly great read for a classroom to study and discuss.
I was gifted this book from a person named Tyler from Deadwood, South Dakota. He had obtained it from his friend, the author. For some reason he thought I'd enjoy it and surprised me one day with it in the mail; he was correct.
I was gifted this book from a person named Tyler from Deadwood, South Dakota. He had obtained it from his friend, the author. For some reason he thought I'd enjoy it and surprised me one day with it in the mail; he was correct.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 2, 2018
A great tale told with an exceptional vision. I couldn’t put it down, I steamed through it in a couple of days.
October 25, 2018
Mid-October is, arguably, the most stressful time of year for a college student, and I am certainly not the exception of that idea. That being said, in the midst of all of my midterm exams, I was absolutely delighted to have such an amazing book to read during study breaks. Mr. Jackson Ellis sent me Lords of St. Thomas as an .epub file in exchange for an honest review, and I was pleased to find out what a touching and heartbreaking tale Mr. Ellis' debut novel posed for me.
See my full review complete with a list of pros and cons at my book review blog, Bitty Book Nook!
http://bittybooknook.blogspot.com/201...
Lords of St. Thomas was a brief, beautiful story of family, homesick ties, and the overlooked hardships that many Americans faced in the 1930s and 1940s. The book leaves the reader with a different sense of adventure and an earnest to explore villages and ghost towns with a grand amount of history. Mr. Ellis, thank you so much for your kindness, your patience, and the opportunity to review your work. I very much look forward to seeing more from you in the future!
See my full review complete with a list of pros and cons at my book review blog, Bitty Book Nook!
http://bittybooknook.blogspot.com/201...
Lords of St. Thomas was a brief, beautiful story of family, homesick ties, and the overlooked hardships that many Americans faced in the 1930s and 1940s. The book leaves the reader with a different sense of adventure and an earnest to explore villages and ghost towns with a grand amount of history. Mr. Ellis, thank you so much for your kindness, your patience, and the opportunity to review your work. I very much look forward to seeing more from you in the future!
April 14, 2021
Excellent story with a bit of mystery and history.
October 13, 2019
This review was published on Lost in a Good Book
Note: I was provided with a copy of this book for review
The story is about home and the past. It is also about family. Ellis has written a fascinating story that questions all of this and weaves it together with style and seamlessness. The two periods rest side by side and Ellis uses the narrator’s voice to give us all the information we need without heavy exposition. Instead it is woven through and details are revealed at intervals when they are pertinent. Little Henry tells the story of his childhood living in St Thomas and the changes that come about when there is a threat to the town with the construction of the new dam. As a non-American I was interested in the history the story shows about the development of the dam and even though Ellis has fictionalised it, there are pictures included at the end that show where his inspiration came from.
This story could easily have been longer but I am glad Ellis has kept it short. It has a lot more power and through the narrative and dialogue all the information we need has been included without it become too wordy. The character development is all there and through Henry’s reflections and observations we gain more insight into characters whose voices we don’t often get to hear. Ellis shows well and doesn’t often tell and even with his few observations there is a lot said in a few words. The imagery is also wonderfully vivid and I could picture everything Henry is telling us, from the small run down school room to the encroaching water and hard dry desert.
There is heartache and mystery but there is also a bittersweet reality that I really liked. The hardships the family endures and the drama around their lives takes it toil but there is also strong family bonds. The novel takes place across the decades of the 20th century and seeing the changes from the 1930s to the 1990s and beyond not only shows to contrast in the environment, but also in the progress of humanity and it is a reminder of what life was like in those early years. It certainly has a lot of poignancy and intrigue and to capture all that in 180 pages is a wonderful feat.
Note: I was provided with a copy of this book for review
The story is about home and the past. It is also about family. Ellis has written a fascinating story that questions all of this and weaves it together with style and seamlessness. The two periods rest side by side and Ellis uses the narrator’s voice to give us all the information we need without heavy exposition. Instead it is woven through and details are revealed at intervals when they are pertinent. Little Henry tells the story of his childhood living in St Thomas and the changes that come about when there is a threat to the town with the construction of the new dam. As a non-American I was interested in the history the story shows about the development of the dam and even though Ellis has fictionalised it, there are pictures included at the end that show where his inspiration came from.
This story could easily have been longer but I am glad Ellis has kept it short. It has a lot more power and through the narrative and dialogue all the information we need has been included without it become too wordy. The character development is all there and through Henry’s reflections and observations we gain more insight into characters whose voices we don’t often get to hear. Ellis shows well and doesn’t often tell and even with his few observations there is a lot said in a few words. The imagery is also wonderfully vivid and I could picture everything Henry is telling us, from the small run down school room to the encroaching water and hard dry desert.
There is heartache and mystery but there is also a bittersweet reality that I really liked. The hardships the family endures and the drama around their lives takes it toil but there is also strong family bonds. The novel takes place across the decades of the 20th century and seeing the changes from the 1930s to the 1990s and beyond not only shows to contrast in the environment, but also in the progress of humanity and it is a reminder of what life was like in those early years. It certainly has a lot of poignancy and intrigue and to capture all that in 180 pages is a wonderful feat.
September 30, 2019
Read all of my reviews at bit.ly/PageBedtime
I was contacted directly by Jackson Ellis, the author of this wonderful little gem of a book - Lords of St. Thomas. The book is historical fiction. It is loosely based on actual events and people during the Depression (1930s) in the the small town of St. Thomas, Nevada in the United States. The government has decided to build what we now know as the Hoover Dam. Henry Lord, his son, daughter-in-law, and grandson plan to hold out on selling the family property hoping the project won't take hold. This decision has detrimental effects, and continues to haunt "Little" Henry, the grandson, some 60 years later when the drought has caused Lake Mead to recede and he returns to St. Thomas.
Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres, and I truly enjoyed this story. I had not heard of St. Thomas or these events until reading this book. The overall tone is sad, but it is a very compelling story. While these events are fiction, they are based in reality. Without giving too much away, many of the tragedies that happened to the fictional characters happened to the real people of this real town. Ellis has done an excellent job researching and writing a story that I, as the reader, quickly dove into. At the end of the book, the author offers suggestions for further readings about the Hoover Dam project and the actual Lords. I really want to go visit the site one day!
Recommendation: I highly recommend this book. You can grab an e-copy for less than a fancy drink at Starbucks, and I doubt you'll be disappointed in this quick read.
Until next time ... Read on!
Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.
Read all of my reviews at bit.ly/PageBedtime
I was contacted directly by Jackson Ellis, the author of this wonderful little gem of a book - Lords of St. Thomas. The book is historical fiction. It is loosely based on actual events and people during the Depression (1930s) in the the small town of St. Thomas, Nevada in the United States. The government has decided to build what we now know as the Hoover Dam. Henry Lord, his son, daughter-in-law, and grandson plan to hold out on selling the family property hoping the project won't take hold. This decision has detrimental effects, and continues to haunt "Little" Henry, the grandson, some 60 years later when the drought has caused Lake Mead to recede and he returns to St. Thomas.
Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres, and I truly enjoyed this story. I had not heard of St. Thomas or these events until reading this book. The overall tone is sad, but it is a very compelling story. While these events are fiction, they are based in reality. Without giving too much away, many of the tragedies that happened to the fictional characters happened to the real people of this real town. Ellis has done an excellent job researching and writing a story that I, as the reader, quickly dove into. At the end of the book, the author offers suggestions for further readings about the Hoover Dam project and the actual Lords. I really want to go visit the site one day!
Recommendation: I highly recommend this book. You can grab an e-copy for less than a fancy drink at Starbucks, and I doubt you'll be disappointed in this quick read.
Until next time ... Read on!
Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.
Read all of my reviews at bit.ly/PageBedtime
February 19, 2021
This was a nice and easy vacation read for me! Made me very interested in “ghost towns” and particularly the families that are forced to leave. Good story! I think it would make for a good “young adult” classification as some other reviews have noted!
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